Organizing Solutions in Victoria, BC

Tag: organizing tips

Below are tips on how to organize various spots throughout your home. The last one is my favourite and truly the “secret” to remaining organized.

1) SORT THROUGH THE JUNK DRAWER

Junk drawers are a necessity, but they need some help once in a while. Tip: Once they’re organized, don’t try to eliminate them or the loose change and batteries will end up in another drawer. (Trust me on this one, I’ve tried.) Just try to organize your junk drawers every 2-3 months.

2) KEEP A LIST OF YOUR PASSWORDS IN A SAFE PLACE

With all the recent hacking stories in the news, I do not recommend keeping this list electronically. My recommendation is to write them down (in pencil) in a small notebook. When required to change a password, erase it and write down the new one. Keep your list in the same place so it never gets lost!

3) UPDATE YOUR MOVIE STORAGE

Do you watch a lot of streaming video on Netflix, Crave etc? Free up space and consider selling or donating DVDs you don’t watch or don’t need. UsedVictoria or Varagesale are great sites to sell unwanted DVD’s.

If there are home videos you would like to save, have them converted to a DVD or other type of media. But otherwise, ditch your VHS tapes! Get rid of that shelf of DVD cases! Put your DVDs in a binder (or two, or three) with plastic sleeves to save space.

4) CHECK EXPIRATION DATES

If it’s expired, you shouldn’t have it. If you have good food that isn’t expired and you aren’t going to eat it, donate it to a shelter in Victoria. For all of these items (even if it isn’t expired), if you don’t need it or use it, then get rid of it! Pare it down and only keep what you need so you can free up space.

5) DITCH YOUR MISMATCHED SOCKS

Everyone has socks that just don’t have a match. Next time you find one or open that sock drawer, spend an extra 15 minutes to sort through the socks. The ones that don’t have a match should be ditched. If you find one, hold onto it for a week or so and then move on. Missing socks are a part of life and shouldn’t burden you! If you don’t want to throw them away, toss them all into a zip bag and donate to Goodwill, or another place that will also recycle clothing items.

6) KEEP TRACK OF YOUR INSTRUCTION MANUALS

To keep them organized, store your instruction manuals and receipts for major purchases all in a centralized spot. I recommend using a 3 ring binder with plastic sleeves or a folder, or in a accordion style file folder.

Another option is to ditch the manuals altogether and find a link to them online. Look up the item number, copy the link to the manual, and place them all into a document on your computer saved as “Instruction Manuals”.

7) STOP LISTENING TO ORGANIZING “EXPERTS”

Wait, what? Haha!

Despite what most of Pinterest, organizing stores, makers of bins, “experts” and bloggers tell you, you don’t need fancy new bins or dollar store items that can be repurposed. You don’t need to hang onto everything because you are not a store. Stop going to the thrift store and buying stupid organizing devices designed not to organize, but to take away precious space.

No, no. Ignore all of that. You don’t need more places for your stuff. 🙂 You need to get rid of stuff. I promise, you don’t need it all.

The best way to get organized is to have less. Then, put your stuff away and keep it in the same spot. (I know, earth shattering stuff here!) And then, stop bringing so much in.

Testimonials

I desperately needed Rachel's help, and she delivered! She helped create a functional, organized kitchen where only chaos existed before. Even now, weeks later, it's still clean, because its now easy to clean up! Everything has a place, and it all looks great! Thank you so much!

Marlise, Victoria BC

"Working with Space in your Place was so amazing! She made it so easy to get rid of unused items and organized my daughters room in a way that makes it easy and fun for her to tidy up. I would highly recommend Space in your Place, and look forward to utilizing her organizational skills again!"

Roberta, Victoria BC

"This service is so awesome! My garage never looked so good and I felt so organized. Summer has literally gotten easier now that all I have to do is grab a box and toss it in my car for different activities and put it right back when I get home. Looking forward to the rest of my house!!! Can't say enough good things here"

Erin, Victoria BC

"I have nothing but great things to say about Rachel & Space in your place!
She helped me reorganize my master closet (which I had avoided dealing with for a while). Happy to say it is (still) a functional organized space!
It's honestly the best feeling to have that closet purged and organized, I wish now I did it sooner. Rachel made the overwhelming situation (that I had procrastinated for a while) effortless for me by checking in with me along the way to see how I was doing, gave some great tips and suggestions along the way too.

You will not be disappointed if you hire Rachel to help you with any room in your house"

Julie, Victoria BC

Rachel Freeman from Space in your Place Organizing came out to our home and it was amazing. It was like having a good friend sit down with you - separate things into keep, donate and trash, and talked with me about new ways to change up my systems that were failing (LAUNDRY!!). She was kind enough to take the stuff that I set aside for donation too. And thank goodness because otherwise those bags would've sat in my car's trunk for who knows how long.
I'm hoping to save money and set up a few visits for my own parents so they can get a handle on their garage and craft/laundry room (as a Christmas gift).
I highly recommend her - very professional, non-judgmental, friendly and great at what she does.